Giants Sidelines

November 25, 2003|By John Altavilla

Turning Point

Trailing 17-13 with 8:44 to play, the Giants had a third-and-1 on their 42 when Tiki Barber took a handoff up the middle. Before Barber could get the first down, he was stripped by Warren Sapp, forcing the Giants to punt.

What Went Right

Amani Toomer pulled an apparent interception out of cornerback Ronde Barber's hands for a reception at the Giants 10 late in the first quarter. ... Safety Johnnie Harris created two turnovers by stripping receivers, setting up a pair of Matt Bryant 30-yard field goals. He got Keenan McCardell after a reception in the second quarter, setting up Bryant's first kick with 6:42 to play in the first half. Then he separated Reggie Barlow from the ball on the Bucs' first possession of the second half, setting up Bryant's second field goal with 9:22 to play in the third. ... Delvin Joyce returned a third-quarter kickoff 36 yards to set the Giants up at their 46. ... Frank Walker's 56-yard interception return for a touchdown cut the Bucs' lead to 17-13 with 12:42 to play.

What Went Wrong

Tiki Barber dropped a pitch from Kerry Collins midway through the first quarter that was recovered by Shelton Quarles at the Bucs 45. It was the 52nd straight game the Bucs forced a turnover, the longest current streak in the league. Collins was then stripped by Simeon Rice on third-and-7 from the Bucs 17 with 11 seconds to play in the first half, and he threw an ill-advised pass into the end zone for Ike Hilliard that was intercepted by Dwight Smith at the end of the third. ... Facemask penalties on linebacker Brandon Short and tackle Keith Hamilton aided Tampa's first TD drive that culminated with Thomas Jones' 1-yard run with 11:21 to play in the first half. ... Toomer dropped a TD in the end zone before Bryant's first field goal when Smith dislodged it with a hit, then Toomer let what could have been another score glance off his fingertips on their next possession to force a punt. ... The Giants offense, which came into the game leading the NFL in first downs (223), had only 12 and 212 yards.

Shockey Doesn't Play

The Giants opted not to play tight end Jeremy Shockey. Shockey spent 15 minutes testing his injured knee about 90 minutes before the game. He sustained a slightly torn post anterior cruciate ligament against the Falcons Nov. 9. ... First-round pick William Joseph and RB Ron Dayne were also inactive for the Giants. Others were CB Ralph Brown (shoulder) and WR Tim Carter (concussions). S Clarence LeBlanc, signed this week to replace Shaun Williams, also was deactivated.

Of Note

Rookie David Tyree, who made the first five receptions of his career last week, started in place of Hilliard, who has struggled with knee and foot injuries. Keith Washington started at right defensive end for Kenny Holmes, who was also placed on IR last week. Clark started at strong safety for Williams.